Search UNI

News Release Archive

December 11, 2013 - 1:52pm

CEDAR FALLS -- The University of Northern Iowa is seeking potential clients for its UNI MBA Pella Capstone Experience. The Capstone Experience is a comprehensive, end-of-program application of the UNICollege of Business Administration graduate curriculum, during which MBA candidates undertake strategic management projects for client organizations acrossP Iowa.

Potential clients can come from both the business and non-profit sectors, and UNI is particularly interested in soliciting clients from Pella and surrounding communities for the Pella-based program. Projects are developed to meet the specific needs of the client, typically addressing strategic planning, marketing analysis, process analysis or feasibility questions.

For the Capstone projects, MBA candidates work in small consulting teams formed with sufficient diversity to successfully analyze a business problem from a strategic perspective. Each team includes members with expertise across a range of business functions, business cultures and analytical methods. Teams work with a mentor from the business graduate faculty who has expertise in the topic of the project. Student teams will start the projects during summer 2014 and finish by year end.

Projects will be selected by mid-April. Organizations that would like to propose a Capstone Experience project for the UNI MBA Pella cohort should contact Capstone Coordinator Sarah Rosol at 319-273-3954 or sarah.rosol@uni.edu.

December 11, 2013 - 1:59pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa was ranked in the top 100 "Best Values in Public Colleges" by Kiplinger's Personal Finance for 2014.

The ranking cites four-year schools that combine outstanding education with economic value. UNI jumped from No. 95 on the 2013 list to No. 71 on the 2014 list thanks to its high four-year graduation rate, low average student debt at graduation, abundant financial aid, low sticker price and overall great value.

"We are honored to be acknowledged again as a Best Value Public College by Kiplinger's," said UNI President Bill Ruud. "UNI offers outstanding academic programs taught by dedicated faculty at an affordable cost, which is a value that's hard to beat."

"This year’s top 100 schools have made admirable strides to maintain academic integrity and standards while meeting the financial needs of their students," said Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.

December 9, 2013 - 11:27am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Child Development Center (CDC) has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

NAEYC's national accreditation system sets professional standards for early childhood education programs and allows families to find high-quality programs for their children. The accreditation requires a rigorous self-study that looks at curriculum, administration, teacher qualifications and parent interactions. It is followed by an external review of the self-study materials and observations of a majority of the classrooms, including the oldest and youngest groups.

"The NAEYC Accreditation system raises the bar for child care centers and other early childhood programs," said Jerlean E. Daniel, executive director of NAEYC. "Having earned NAEYC Accreditation is a sign that the UNI Child Development Center is a leader in a national effort to invest in high-quality early childhood education."

Earlier this year, the CDC also received a rating of 5, the highest rank possible, on Iowa's Quality Rating System (QRS) for child care programs. QRS is a voluntary child care rating system for child development homes, licensed child care centers and preschools, and child care programs that are operated by school districts.

The UNI CDC is a child care and instruction resource for the students, faculty and staff of the University of Northern Iowa and is a part of the College of Education. For more information, contact Allison Pattee, coordinator of the CDC, at 319-273-3946 or allison.pattee@uni.edu.

December 9, 2013 - 11:31am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa will host its annual fall commencement ceremony at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 21, in the McLeod Center. This year's commencement speaker is Molly Franta, a history and theatre major from Elkader. Approximately 600 graduates will participate in commencement.

Following the ceremony, there will be a reception in the McLeod Center with light snacks and beverages. Graduates and guests are encouraged to attend. There will also be areas set up for families and graduates to take pictures.

December 6, 2013 - 1:45pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa will host a service in remembrance of Nelson Mandela from noon to 1 p.m., Monday, Dec. 9, at the Center for Multicultural Education (CME).

People will also have the opportunity to write their condolences and memories of Mandela in a memorial booklet. The booklet will be available at the CME beginning the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 6 through Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in South Africa. Becoming actively involved in the anti-apartheid movement in his 20s, Mandela joined the African National Congress in 1942. For 20 years, he directed a campaign to help South Africa break the practice of racial segregation and do away with white minority rule.

Mandela was imprisoned for nearly three decades for his fight against apartheid. He was freed in 1990 and quickly set about working to unite the nation through forgiveness and reconciliation. Four years after he left prison, Mandela became South Africa's first black president.

"Nelson Mandela was such a wonderful symbol of freedom and reconciliation in the world," said Michael Blackwell, director of UNI's CME. "He was a man with a passion for justice and peace. Students and the community should know he's a great person to pay tribute to."

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Blackwell at 319-273-2250 or michael.blackwell@uni.edu.

December 5, 2013 - 11:12am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa will host a free educational forum on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Tuesday, Dec. 10, in Ballroom C of Maucker Union. Sessions will be offered at 3 and 7 p.m. and are open to students, faculty, staff and the Cedar Valley community.

Health and Human Services regional director Stephene Moore will present information on the ACA and how to navigate the health insurance marketplace. A Q&A session will follow the presentations. Computer stations will also be available for those interested in enrolling.

Estimates of the number of uninsured U.S. residents include more than 17 million young adults between the ages of 18 and 35. The forums give people an opportunity to learn what the Affordable Care Act means to them and may be of particular interest to college students, and others, who currently don't have or may need health insurance.

December 5, 2013 - 11:17am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa's New Horizons Band will perform a winter concert at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 16, in the Great Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC). The event will be followed by a reception in the lobby.

The band will perform a variety of traditional concert band songs that will include marches and holiday selections. "Clarinet on the Town" will feature the clarinet section and soloists Carol Gordon, Doug Herbon, Mary Schlicher and Jo Van DeBerg. A performance of "Lincoln at Gettysburg" by Barry E. Kopetz will commemorate the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and will feature narration by Isaac Campbell, a UNI senior majoring in electronic media and communications. The Windy Hill Singers, under the direction of Martha Hansen, will present a pre-show concert at 6:45 p.m. in the GBPAC lobby.

The New Horizons Band is sponsored by the UNI School of Music and UNI Community Music School. The group includes members ages 50 and older with various musical backgrounds who travel from all across Iowa to rehearse and perform. Diana Blake, a retired music educator from Waverly, is director of the band.

The event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Cindi Mason, administrative assistant of the New Horizons Band, at 319-273-2142 or Blake at 319-352-3007.

December 5, 2013 - 4:14pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Gallery of Art will present "B.F.A. Group Exhibition" from Thursday, Dec. 12, through Saturday, Dec. 21, on the main floor of the Kamerick Art Building. A reception will be held at 7 p.m. in the south lobby.

The artwork of four UNI Bachelor of Fine Arts students will be presented, each conveying unique styles and techniques:

-Trey Bush of Winterset will present "God is Great, Beer is Good, and People are Crazy," which aims to breathe life into objects deemed as trash by society.

-Brittany Deal of Des Moines will exhibit "Isolations," which will explore the dialogue between her personal investigations and visual rhythms through photography.

-Diana Hall of Vinton will present "Abstruse Material Substance," which will demonstrate the process of mark making and how it can be used to create different meanings.

-Derek Steffens of Elberon will use multiple mediums such as performance, photography, video art and installation art to comment on social inequalities of gender and sexuality through "Origami Rose: Fashionable Bitch."

All events are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday; noon to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and by appointment.

December 5, 2013 - 4:45pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- On-site fitness facilities and classes, an annual employee wellness and benefits fair and Live Healthy Iowa challenges are some of the resources and opportunities available to University of Northern Iowa faculty and staff. This commitment to the health and wellbeing of its employees is why the Blue Zones Project recently designated UNI as a Blue Zones Worksite. UNI has also been selected as one of five Blue Zones Worksites to be visited by the local Blue Zones chapter and national representatives on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

"I am both proud and excited for UNI to become an official Blue Zones Worksite," said Therese Callaghan, employee disability and leave coordinator for UNI's Human Resource Services. "The Blue Zones designation demonstrates how important employee wellbeing is here at UNI. Our existing practices and policies show we support a healthy, productive and inclusive working environment. This is good for our employees, and has a positive carry-over effect to increase wellbeing for the entire UNI community and the Cedar Valley."

The Blue Zones Project is a global initiative to promote healthy living through permanent changes to environment, policy and social networks. The project launched in Iowa in 2011 as a part of Gov. Terry Branstad's Healthiest State Initiative.

November 27, 2013 - 2:52pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa's MyEntre.Net and the Iowa Department of Revenue will host two free webinars on Thursday, Dec. 5. Iowa Sales Tax Issues for the Cosmetology Industry will be presented from noon to 1 p.m. and an Iowa property tax update webinar will be from 2 to 3 p.m.

The presenter for the cosmetology webinar is Terry O'Neill, taxpayer service specialist with the Iowa Department of Revenue. Julie Roisen, administrator of the department's property tax division, will present the Iowa property tax update. Rob Williams, a business analyst with UNI's Regional Business Center, will serve as moderator.

The Iowa Department of Revenue partnered with the University of Northern Iowa's MyEntre.Net to provide free webinars on tax topics of interest to Iowa business owners and entrepreneurs. This partnership has resulted in a series of successful webinars attended by more than 1,000 people from across the state and around the country. Webinars are delivered through IASourceLink.com, where small businesses get connected to resources across Iowa. Recordings are available on the Department of Revenue website at www.iowa.gov/tax and www.iasourcelink.com.

The mission of the Iowa Department of Revenue is to serve Iowans and support state government by collecting all taxes required by law, but no more. For more information or to register, visit IowaTaxWebinars.com.

November 25, 2013 - 11:18am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Affordable Colleges Online (AC Online) recently ranked the University of Northern Iowa as the most affordable and high-quality provider of online education in Iowa. The online resource noted that UNI offers a wide variety of online undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, is military-friendly and offers some programs entirely online.

"For-profit schools no longer dominate the distance-learning landscape," said Dan Schuessler, founder of AC Online. "So many of today's top universities have added full online degree programs to their catalogs, making it much easier for nontraditional students to receive a quality education."

Earlier this year, UNI's Continuing Education and Special Programs also earned the Iowa Distance Learning Association Innovators Award. The UNI team received the award for its innovative, integrative team approach to providing support services to faculty members who teach distance education courses.

November 25, 2013 - 11:23am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- UNI School of Music will present its annual Chimes of Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, in the Great Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC) on the University of Northern Iowa campus. The concert is offered as part of the UNI School of Music Spotlight Series.

Featuring UNI School of Music choral ensembles, the concert will include holiday-themed performances by the UNI Singers, UNI Concert Chorale, UNI Women's Chorus and UNI Cantorei. Conductors John Len Wiles and Dyan Meyer will lead the groups. Between choir performances, Randall Harlow, instructor of music, will perform traveling music on the organ.

Tickets for this event are $10 for general admission, $9 for senior citizens and $8 for non-UNI students. To order tickets call the GBPAC box office at 319-273-4849 or visit www.unitix.uni.edu. For more information on this or other School of Music events, contact Caroline Boehmer, UNI School of Music communication and operations coordinator, at 319-273-2028 or caroline.boehmer@uni.edu.

November 25, 2013 - 11:34am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Internationally acclaimed performance artist Tim Miller will perform a highly stimulating and opinionated rant with performances about identity, the culture wars and queer strategies for the future at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 9, in the Bertha Martin Theatre in Strayer Wood Theatre on the University of Northern Iowa campus.

"Miller offers a nuanced perspective on self and identification," said Evan Schares, a graduate assistant in UNI's Department of Communication Studies. "Attendees of his performance will be afforded a multitude of lenses with which to explore the intersections of their own identity."

Miller has created several works exploring the artistic, spiritual and political topography of his identity as a gay man. His lecture is free and open to the public. It's sponsored by UNI's Interpreters Theatre, Students Against a Violent Environment (SAVE), the Department of Communication Studies, Department of Art, Department of Theatre, and the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences.

For more information, contact Karen Mitchell, professor in the Department of Communication Studies, at 319-273-2640 or karen.mitchell@uni.edu.

November 25, 2013 - 3:20pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa was ranked No. 13 nationally and No. 4 in the Midwest in a new college ranking that assesses schools on affordability, academic quality and accessibility.

CollegeAtlas, an online directory of colleges and universities, released its "A-List," a ranking of the top 100 universities nationwide, as well as four regional lists, that emphasize three factors that students and parents care about most: low tuition, a strong academic reputation and a reasonable shot at acceptance.

In a speech at the University at Buffalo this August, President Obama suggested a rating system that would judge institutions of higher learning "not just by which is the most selective, not just by which is the most expensive, not just by the one with the best facilities," he said, "but by the one that is the biggest bang for the buck."

UNI recently hosted a U.S. Department of Education open forum on the Obama administration's college affordability and completion initiative. Participants gave their input and feedback about President Obama's higher education plan, which includes a college rating system.

November 21, 2013 - 11:03am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The UNI School of Music has publicly announced the establishment of the Midwest International Piano Competition, June 1 through 7, 2014, to be held on the University of Northern Iowa campus. Pianists will compete for a collective $25,000 in prize money, with top honors also earning a recording contract with the Blue Griffin Record label valued at $5,000. The competition is open to outstanding youth and professional performing pianists as well as audience enthusiasts.

John Vallentine, director of the School of Music, announced the event at a special gala evening hosted by UNI President Bill and Judy Ruud. "Our new president is extremely supportive of music, especially since he was a former all-state clarinet player and understands the value of the arts for students studying on a university campus," said Vallentine.

"UNI provost Gloria Gibson and dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences Joel Haack are also pianists and understand the value of music education," he continued. "Our piano faculty members, who themselves have successfully competed and won prestigious awards at international competitions, bring real passion and artistic leadership for the competition at UNI."

Sean Botkin, faculty pianist, performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in August 2012, and in Rome, Italy, this fall with the Saint Cecilia National Academy Orchestra. Last summer, faculty artist Dmitri Vorobiev founded an institute for UNI students to study and perform in Leipzig, Germany. Both faculty members will serve as the artistic directors of the competition.

The Midwest International Piano Competition will be held in the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC). Competing pianists will be separated into two categories: junior competitors (up to 17 years old) and senior competitors (up to 32 years old). All selected competitors will perform for an internationally acclaimed jury on the Great Hall stage, which has celebrated performances by Olga Kern, Haochen Zhang, Yeol Eum Son, Emanuel Ax, Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma and more.

The competition jurors will be world-renowned pianists Arthur Greene, Alexander Toradze and Miroslav Brejcha. Greene studied at Juilliard with Martin Canin and was a Gold Medal winner in the William Kapell and Gina Bachauer International Piano Competitions, as well as a top laureate at the Busoni International Competition. He has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra; the San Francisco, Utah and National Symphonies; the Czech National Symphony; the Tokyo Symphony and many others.

Toradze is universally recognized as a masterful virtuoso in the grand Romantic tradition. Highlights from Toradze's international appearances this season alone include the Berlin Philharmonic, performing Stravinsky's Piano Concerto, touring with the Kirov Orchestra in Austria and Japan, the NHK and Super World Orchestra in Tokyo, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, along with additional engagements in Germany, Sweden, Italy and Hungary. As a pianist, Brejcha has earned awards at the Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in Marianske Lazne and in the Dusek Competition in Prague. As a soloist and chamber music player, he has performed both at home in the Czech Republic and abroad in France, Germany, Austria, Russia, Switzerland and the U.S. He is the director of the Plzen Conservatory and the chairman of the Committee of the Smetana International Piano Competition in Plzen.

The final competition level of the senior category will be held as an open concert for all to attend, followed by a gala reception. The concert will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2014, in the GBPAC.

November 21, 2013 - 2:45pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa has become the latest university to be welcomed into the CFA Institute University Recognition Program. UNI's B.A. in finance program has been acknowledged for positioning students well to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation, which has become the most respected and recognized investment credential in the world.

Entry into the CFA Institute University Recognition Program signals to potential students, employers, and the marketplace that UNI's curriculum is closely tied to professional practice and is well-suited to preparing students to sit for the CFA examinations.

"CFA Level 1 exam preparation falls in line with the college's priority of preparing students for their professional careers," said Dean Farzad Moussavi. "Our students' pass rate on this one exam regularly exceeds the global average, providing students with professional distinction as they begin to establish their careers."

In addition to the classes they take for their major, UNI finance students can take CFA Review non-credit courses to build knowledge and confidence for the CFA Level I Examination administered by the CFA Institute. Through participation in this program, UNI is eligible to receive a limited number of student scholarships for the CFA Program each year.

"Students in these programs study the Candidate Body of Knowledge, which includes knowledge, skills and abilities that investment experts worldwide have identified as essential best practice," said Stephen Horan, Ph.D., CFA, CIPM, head of University Relations & Private Wealth. "By mastering the fundamentals of the CFA Program as well as the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, these future investment professionals join us in our mission to promote the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society."

About CFA Institute CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and administers the industry gold standard CFA charter. The organization is a champion for ethical behavior in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community. The end goal: to create an environment where investors' interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow. CFA Institute has more than 110,000 members in 139 countries and territories, including 100,000 CFA charter holders. For more information, visit www.cfainstitute.org.

About the CFA Program

The CFA Program sets a standard for developing the skills, standards, competence and integrity of financial analysts, portfolio managers, investment advisers and other investment professionals worldwide. It is widely considered the investment profession's most rigorous credentialing program. Administered in English, the CFA curriculum and examinations are identical worldwide. Fewer than one in five candidates who begin the program successfully complete it and go on to earn the coveted CFA charter, the "gold standard" for investment professionals.

November 20, 2013 - 2:10pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa will host the documentary "Miss Representation," followed by a discussion and audience Q&A, at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Lang Hall Auditorium.

"Miss Representation" strives to expose how mainstream media contributes to the under-representation and misrepresentation of women in positions of power in America. The film includes interviews with Condoleezza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Rachel Maddow and many others to give an inside look at the media and its effect on portrayals of women.

Following the film, there will be a discussion and Q&A with representatives of the Iowa nonprofit organization 50-50 in 2020, which aims to achieve political equity for Iowa women by recruiting, training and mentoring women. Panelists include Joy Corning, former Iowa state senator and lieutenant governor; Chris Larimer, associate professor of political science; and Allison Martens, assistant professor of political science.

For additional information, contact Sam Horsch, president of the UNI Political Science Society, at 515-419-8510 or horschs@uni.edu.

November 20, 2013 - 2:15pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Mammoth teeth, Native American pottery and an early 20th century stereoscope are among the items on display as a part of the new exhibit "Treasures: A Sampling of the UNI Museums Collection" on the first floor of the University of Northern Iowa's Rod Library until Feb. 28, 2014. These objects are only a selection of more than 110,000 objects in the broad areas of biology, geology, history and anthropology/world cultures currently in the UNI Museums collection.

The UNI Museums have long been committed to contributing to lifelong learning and the exchange of ideas, and to fostering an appreciation for both natural resources and our cultural heritage. "We hope this exhibit will help UNI students and the community to understand the value of the resources available through the Museums,” said Katherine Martin, head of collections and museums at the Rod Library.

This and other exhibits planned for various locations across campus are intended to support coursework and research by university students, faculty and staff, while also providing some access to Museums resources to the general public.

November 19, 2013 - 3:59pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Community members will have the opportunity to see the creative academic work of University of Northern Iowa students and faculty at the inaugural Creative UNIversity Conference from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the Maucker Union Ballrooms. The event is hosted by UNI's new Creative Life Research Center (CLRC).

"We want to showcase the tremendous volume and quality of creative work produced at UNI," said Gary Gute, director of the UNI Creative Life Research Center. "We want people to see that creativity is not just about the arts, or about being expressive or about thinking differently. Creativity is about developing and implementing novel, useful and appropriate solutions to problems in all the disciplines."

Steven J. Tepper, founder of the Creative Campus Initiative and associate director of the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise & Public Policy at Vanderbilt University, will deliver the keynote address "Building a Creative Campus: Can Creativity Transform Higher Education and Prepare Students for the 21st-Century Economy?" at 12:30 p.m.

The CLRC opened its doors at the beginning of the 2013-14 academic year. The center aims to offer the UNI community a transformative learning experience reflected in the variety of performances, panels, exhibits, and demonstrations the conference will offer.

The event is free and open to the public. Complimentary beverages and snacks will be provided. For more information, contact Gute at 319-273-6449 or gary.gute@uni.edu.

November 19, 2013 - 4:49pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Registration is now open for the UNI Suzuki School's violin and viola class for young beginners. A parent orientation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 6. This will be followed by five classes for parents and students together from 6 to 7 p.m., on Mondays and Thursdays, Jan. 9 through 27. At the end of these sessions students will begin individual lessons with one of the school's instructors.

All classes will be held at Russell Hall on the University of Northern Iowa campus. Beginning sessions will be taught by UNI Suzuki School instructor Mary Grey. An instrument is not needed until individual lessons begin. Teachers will assist parents in selecting the correct size of instrument.

Besides receiving an individual and group lesson each week, students in this class will perform at the school's spring recitals in March and will participate in the school's annual concert at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in May. The class is suited for ages 4 to 7. Pre-registration is required by Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Collins is dean of the College of Archaeology and Biblical History at Trinity Southwest University in Albuquerque, N.M. He has an extensive background in both Near Eastern archaeology and biblical studies, which gives him a comprehensive understanding of the issues involved in researching the nature of the biblical record. Collins currently serves as chief archaeologist and director of the Tall el-Hammam Excavation Project in Jordan, where he has been investigating the location of the biblical city of Sodom.

This lecture is sponsored by the Dr. Jonathan J. Lu and Sayoko Lu Biblical Geography Endowment Fund. The fund was established to enhance the teaching and research of Bible geography. Jonathan Lu became a faculty member in the Department of Geography at UNI in 1974 and served as head of the department from 1987 to 1991. He left UNI in 1991 to become the president of Holy Light Theological Seminary in Taiwan. Lu was also a founding member of the Bible Geography specialty group of the Association of American Geographers and has remained involved in the group's activities since its inception. There will be a reception honoring Lu and Collins following the lecture.

The lecture is free and open to the public and is hosted by UNI's Departments of Geography and Philosophy and World Religions. For more information, contact Patrick Pease, associate professor of geography, at 319-273-7117 or patrick.pease@uni.edu.

November 18, 2013 - 11:00am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa will host the seminar "Hope for Dementia Caregivers: How to Win the Day" by Elaine Eshbaugh, associate professor of family studies and gerontology, from 7 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the Center for Multicultural Education (CME).

The seminar will provide a new perspective for caregivers of those with Alzheimer's disease and individuals with memory challenges. Eshbaugh will discuss strategies for negotiating behaviors and maintaining a meaningful life after diagnosis.

"Caregiving for a loved one with dementia, whether a family member, friend, or neighbor, can be challenging," noted Eshbaugh. "I want to give these caregivers skills and new perspectives to make their caregiving journey just a little bit easier."

The event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Eshbaugh at 319-273-6083 or elaine.eshbaugh@uni.edu.

November 13, 2013 - 10:52am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Thanks to the work of the University of Northern Iowa's National Ag-Based Lubricants (NABL) Center, biobased and soybean oil based lubricants and greases are no longer a novelty, but are a well-recognized commercial success.

NABL will cease operations in 2014 after 22 years of activity due to the loss of federal funds. The nonprofit, university-based research and testing facility dedicated to the advancement of biobased lubricants has made a significant long-term impact in establishing the biobased lubricants market within the U.S.

"After 22 years of efforts, there is a growing biobased lubricants industry owing its success partially to the work of the UNI NABL Center," said Lou Honary, director of NABL.

NABL was established in 1991 through the collaborative efforts of UNI, the Iowa Soybean Association/Iowa Soybean Promotion Board, the state of Iowa, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Energy. The center successfully developed and licensed to market more than 30 products, ranging from multi-grade hydraulic fluids to niche-market greases to gear lubricants.

Through the years, more than 50 students worked at the center and helped with research. Eight patents and three pending patents were generated from the work of the NABL staff, and two companies were formed to specifically market technology that was created at the center. Since 2000, when commercialization of the NABL licensed products began, an estimated $40M worth of lubricants and greases have been marketed by different entities.

"We feel we have accomplished many of the goals and objectives of the center," said Honary. "Originally, we thought this was going to be a 1-3 year project but it grew to a major national center and operated for 22 years. We know the legacy of the center will continue as the products that were produced by NABL are in commercial use and continue to grow in the market."

November 12, 2013 - 2:55pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University Economic Development Association (UEDA) has given awards to the University of Northern Iowa's Dream Big Grow Here and Iowa Business Concierge programs. The programs were the recipients of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Research and Analysis awards at the annual UEDA conference in Pittsburgh.

Dream Big Grow Here received the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award for its innovative statewide contest that rewards a good business approach and pitch with money. The program uses an online platform where entrepreneurs can upload their plans of starting or expanding a business, and then encourages friends, family and customers to vote for them.

The Iowa Business Concierge program received the Research and Analysis Award for providing market research information, which is typically too expensive for small firms, at no charge to Iowa firms. In its first six months, the Iowa Business Concierge assisted 256 business owners, helped create 11 new businesses and helped launch eight new products or services.

For additional information, contact Joe Bolick, communications and public relations, UNI Business and Community Services, at 319-273-6577 or mjbolick@uni.edu.

November 12, 2013 - 4:51pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa has been named to Military Times "Best for Vets: Colleges 2014" rankings, which recognizes and rewards schools for their commitment to providing opportunities to America's veterans.

"As with all of the Best for Vets rankings, Best for Vets: Colleges is an editorially independent news project that evaluates the many factors that make an institution a good fit for military veterans," said Amanda Miller, editor of Military Times EDGE.

Best for Vets provides service men and women a gauge by which to judge whether a school or degree program will truly benefit them. The rankings factored in service member enrollment, percentage of tuition covered by the GI Bill, and availability of specific programs to help service members.

This is just the most recent honor for UNI. Earlier this fall, G.I. Jobs Magazine selected UNI as a Military Friendly School for the fourth time.

For the full Best for Vets: Colleges 2014 rankings, visit militarytimes.com/bestforvets-colleges2014. For more information about the military and veteran student services at UNI, visit www.uni.edu/military/.

November 11, 2013 - 9:31am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Gallery of Art will present an artist lecture and musical performance by Tim Lowly at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 4, in Kamerick Art Building (KAB) South, Room 111. Lowly will speak about his paintings and other artistic works. The lecture will be followed immediately by an 8 p.m. musical performance with Lowly and Karima Walker in the Graham Hall Chamber Music Room in Russell Hall.

Chicago-based artist, curator and musician, Lowly has been affiliated with North Park University in Chicago as gallery director, professor and artist-in-residence. His paintings are delicate, beautiful and haunting. They are portraits of his daughter, Temma, and the world seen through her eyes.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Kenneth Hall, assistant professor of art, at 319-273-6142 or kenneth.hall@uni.edu.

November 11, 2013 - 10:49am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – A panel discussion titled "Reflecting on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy" will be held to discuss and remember the national tragedy of his assassination. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 18, Seerley Hall, Room 115 at the University of Northern Iowa.

Panelists for the discussion include Grand Veeder, Black Hawk County auditor; John Johnson, professor of history; Donna Hoffman, professor and head of political science; and Dick Broadie, newspaper columnist and radio commentator. The discussion will be followed by audience comments and questions.

"The 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy offers an opportunity to reflect upon the tragic events of November 1963 as well as the place of the late president in American history and life," noted Johnson.

The American Democracy Project and the departments of history and political science will host the event. For additional information, contact Johnson at 319-273-7077 or john.johnson@uni.edu.

November 8, 2013 - 1:00pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Parents and students in the Cedar Valley will have the opportunity to learn about applying for college scholarships at the Educational Talent Search Program parent/student workshop at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 16, at the University of Northern Iowa Center for Urban Education (UNI-CUE), 800 Sycamore, St., Waterloo. The workshop is open to students in 11th and 12th grade and high school graduates.

"We want to help our students get an early start on applying for scholarships," said Tony Stevens, director of UNI Educational Talent Search. "These students have done the work academically, they just have to do the work to receive the scholarships."

The workshop is free and open to the public and is sponsored by UNI's Educational Talent Search Program and the Iowa College Access Network.

November 8, 2013 - 5:04pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa has been selected to host a U.S. Department of Education open forum on the Obama administration's college affordability and completion initiative. The forum will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 15, in Bengtson Auditorium in Russell Hall on the UNI campus. This event is open to the public. It will also be streamed online at live.uni.edu.

Under Secretary of Education Martha Kantor, as well as other U.S. Department of Education officials, will facilitate the forum. Students, faculty, staff and the community are encouraged to participate and give their feedback and input on the Department of Education's plan to develop a college rating system.

"We are honored to be selected to host an event that is so important to the future of higher education," said UNI President Bill Ruud. "The open forum gives the students, faculty and staff of higher education, as well as our communities, an important opportunity to voice their input about policies that will affect students and families around the nation."

This will be one of the first opportunities the public will have to provide feedback on President Obama's higher education plan, which was announced in August. UNI is one of only four higher education institutions in the U.S. to host this forum.

Those who wish to present comments at the forum must register three days in advance. Register by email at collegefeedback@ed.gov with the subject "Open Forum Registration." The department will notify individuals of their time slot. Walk-in registrations will be accepted on site if time slots are available.

November 6, 2013 - 10:21am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- University of Northern Iowa faculty Michele Devlin, professor of health, physical education and leisure services, and Mark Grey, professor of sociology, anthropology and criminology, are the recipients of the Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit's Karen L. Evans Award (Immigrant Champion Award) for their outstanding work with Iowa's immigrant population. The Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit is an annual conference that brings together resources for current and aspiring immigrant entrepreneurs to start or expand their businesses in Iowa. The award will be presented at a luncheon on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Drake University in Des Moines.

Devlin and Grey are also the recipients of the 2013 FRIENDS of Iowa Civil Rights Award. This award is given to individuals, businesses, nonprofit and community organizations, and youth who have made a significant contribution in promoting civil rights in Iowa during the past year.

Devlin and Grey are the directors of the Iowa Center on Health Disparities. The center provides statewide academic leadership to address and reduce health disparities among minority, immigrant and medically underserved populations in Iowa. Grey also serves as the program director for the Iowa Center for Immigrant Leadership and Integration (ICILI), which guides and prepares Iowa communities and businesses as they accommodate immigrant and refugee newcomers living and working in Iowa.

November 6, 2013 - 11:36am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa has a wide range of activities planned to recognize Veterans Day and honor members of the armed forces. The UNI Veterans Association will host events to pay tribute to past and present service members as well as to promote awareness throughout campus.

Events throughout the week include:

-At 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, the UNI Panthers football team will play Youngstown State during a Veterans Appreciation game at the UNI-Dome. At halftime, 9 new cadets will participate in an enlistment ceremony.

-At 5:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 11, UNI will host a formal Veterans Ball in the Commons Ballroom. The event will include dinner, live music and a keynote speech by UNI President Bill Ruud, who is an Army veteran. To register for the event, visit www.uni.edu/military/veterans-ball.

-At 12:15 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the Presidential Room of Maucker Union, there will be a discussion about trauma in hopes of creating more "trauma informed" environments for veterans.

-At 6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, in the Center for Multicultural Education (CME), UNI will host the documentary "The Battle for Marjah" to be followed by Q&A with a marine who was part of the battle.

-At 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14, in the CME, UNI will host a student transition panel to talk and answer questions about the challenges of transitioning to a university.

-The Veterans Battalion Run will start at 6:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 15, at the West Gym. The run will be followed by refreshments.

November 6, 2013 - 11:50am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Sunsara Taylor, American writer and political activist, will visit the University of Northern Iowa to speak about religion and women's rights in regards to birth control and abortion. "Defeating the Assault on Abortion Rights: Winning the Full Liberation of Women" will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14, in Seerley Hall, Room 115.

Taylor currently sits on the advisory board for the organization World Can't Wait and has written about theocracy, wars and repression in the U.S.

The event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Jessica Garraway, president of the UNI Feminist Action League, at 712-574-7940 or garrawaj@uni.edu.

November 6, 2013 - 3:22pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- To commemorate 25 years of integrated roadside vegetation management in Iowa, the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management (IRVM) Program at the University of Northern Iowa is teaming up with the Iowa Living Roadway Trust Fund to host regional planning sessions on local integrated roadside vegetation management programs. Six sessions are planned from 10 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m. throughout the months of November and December. Lunch will be provided; an RSVP is requested by Nov. 15.

"The past quarter century has left a positive impact on Iowa's roadsides in terms of vegetation management and incorporating native landscapes with transportation infrastructure. We have new technology, yet maintain many key philosophies of implementing IRVM," said Rebecca Kauten, IRVM program manager at the UNI Tallgrass Prairie Center. "Now is a great time to take stock of existing programs, as well as consider a program for your county. There's no better way to do both than to learn from existing IRVM professionals about best practices and ways to get things started and stay successful."

The show is a "best of the best" event featuring performances from beginning and advanced performance classes in the Department of Communication Studies. Performances result from four courses: Oral Interpretation, Cultural Performance, Family Communication, and Technology and Human Communication (Digital Culture). The show will feature 12 performances, including personal narratives, family stories, digital remix performances and experimental performances. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Danielle McGeough, assistant professor of communication studies, at 319-273-6985 or danielle.mcgeough@uni.edu.

October 31, 2013 - 8:49am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa will host a lecture about the Nevada Test Site Oral History Project. The lecture, by Leisl Carr Childers, assistant professor of history, will take place at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, in Seerley Hall, Room 115.

Oral history has been a powerful tool for researchers to better understand the experiences of everyday individuals engaged in activities that are not always officially or publicly recorded. From 2003 to 2008, the Nevada Test Site Oral History Project documented the remembrances of those engaged in and affected by the nation's nuclear testing program during the Cold War. The project peeled back the layers of secrecy and compartmentalization and revealed participants as part of a very special community connected by the geography of nuclear testing.

The lecture is free and open to the public and is hosted by Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society and the History Club Lecture Series. For more information, contact Robert Martin, professor of history, at 319-273-2097 or robert.martin@uni.edu.

October 31, 2013 - 11:34am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Leslie Prideaux has been named director of alumni relations. She is currently assistant director of programs for the University of Iowa Alumni Association.

Prideaux has extensive experience in alumni relations with a proven track record of success in creating strategic, integrated plans and programs. At UNI she will serve as president of the UNI Alumni Association, provide strategic direction of alumni association activities, manage university programs and services for alumni and will direct the development of strategies and messages for alumni communications.

"We look forward to Leslie joining us at the University of Northern Iowa," said Bill Calhoun, vice president for University Advancement, Development and Alumni Relations. "She will bring a great deal of energy to this position as we continue to build relationships and opportunities for our Panther alumni."

October 31, 2013 - 11:49am

The University of Northern Iowa has been selected to host an open forum on Friday, Nov. 15, by the Department of Education to discuss the Obama Administration’s college value and affordability plans.

UNI is one of four universities nationwide to host the public forum by the Department of Education. The first one kicks off on Nov. 6 at the California State University-Dominguez Hills. George Mason University will be on Nov. 13, and Louisiana State University on Nov. 21.

Those who wish to present comments at the forum about the administration’s proposals must register three days in advance. Comments can be submitted by email at collegefeedback@ed.gov.

It is the Department of Education’s policy to make all comments received from members of the public available, according to the website. Therefore, commenters should be careful to include in their comments only information that they wish to make publicly available.

More information about the event at UNI, including the start time and exact location, is forthcoming.

October 29, 2013 - 3:14pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- University of Northern Iowa students and alumni, as well as the Cedar Valley community, will have the opportunity to give back while participating in a fun, mile-long run, walk or roll on Tuesday, Nov. 12, on the UNI campus. The seventh annual Polar Bare Run, Walk or Roll will begin with check-in at 9 p.m. at the UNI Alumni House, 1012 West 23rd St. The race will begin at 9:30 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to bring new or gently used articles of clothing to donate to the Salvation Army. For each article of clothing brought to the event, the participant's name will be put in a drawing for prizes. The event is sponsored by the University of Northern Iowa Alumni Association and its student group, CATS (Connecting Alumni to Students). Registration is $5 and will be open until the day of the event.

October 29, 2013 - 3:26pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Gallery of Art will present a lecture by Grant Wood Art Colony Fellow Eric Sall at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 4, in the Kamerick Art Building (KAB) South, Room 111. Sall will discuss his work and career.

The lecture was made possible by the Grant Wood Art Colony Fellowship Program at the University of Iowa School of Art and Art History, which provides post-M.F.A. or post-doctoral fellowships in painting, printmaking and interdisciplinary performance. For more information about the program, visit www.art.uiowa.edu/gw_main.html.

Eric Sall received a B.F.A. from the Kansas City Art Institute and an M.F.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is the recipient of a Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant, a Charlotte Street Fund Award and an Art in Architecture commission from the General Services Administration. In addition, he has attended the Marie Walsh Sharpe Space Program in Brooklyn, the LMCC Workspace residency in New York and the Yale Summer Program of Music and Art in Norfolk, Conn.

Currently on view at the UNI Gallery of Art is "The Power of Line: Prints of the European and American Etching Revival from the University of Iowa Museum of Art," a collaboration with the UI Museum of Art through its Legacies for Iowa Collections Sharing Program. The gallery and the Department of Art at UNI are proud to participate in programs that offer exciting art and scholarship programming partnerships between Iowa’s Regents Universities.

October 28, 2013 - 10:11am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa's Department of Philosophy and World Religions will host lectures concerning evolution and religion, as well as the Affordable Care Act, as part of a fall lecture series.

The first lecture is titled "Does Evolution Undermine Religion? A Panel Discussion." The panel will include Steve O'Kane, professor of biology; Jerry Soneson, associate professor of religion and humanities; and Loyal Rue, emeritus professor of religion and philosophy at Luther College. They will discuss the implications that the contemporary view of evolution has for the validity of religion today. The panel will be held at 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 1, in Seerley Hall, Room 115. Those in attendance are encouraged to bring questions about this issue to the presentation.

The second lecture will be presented at 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 15, in Seerley Hall, Room 115. Francis Degnin, associate professor of philosophy, will present "Death Panels, Soaring Costs and the Nanny State: Separating Truth from Fiction in What Obamacare Means to You." This presentation will address some of the myths and misinformation about the Affordable Care Act, as well as its implications for health care and the public.

Presentations are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jerry Soneson, department head and associate professor of philosophy and world religions, at 319-273-6221 or jerome.soneson@uni.edu.

October 24, 2013 - 1:02pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Internationally known activist Angela Davis will deliver her lecture "Finding Your Way: Organizing for Social Change and Human Rights" at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, in the Great Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the University of Northern Iowa campus.

"I am delighted and honored to have Ms. Angela Davis in the Cedar Valley to talk with us, particularly college students, faculty and any who would listen, to become more civically engaged and to promote positive social change to make this country and the world a better place in which to live," said Michael Blackwell, director of UNI's Center for Multicultural Education.

Davis rose to national notoriety in the 1960s as a prominent figure in the civil and women's rights movements. She has written a number of books on a variety of social justice issues, including "Women, Race and Class." Today, she is a professor at the University of California.

October 24, 2013 - 1:07pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa College of Education will host its bi-annual Teacher Education Induction Convocation at 4 p.m., Monday, Nov. 4, in the Great Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC).

Three hundred and sixty-eight students have satisfied requirements for admission into the UNI Teacher Education Program and are invited to participate in the formal ceremony, the official induction of students into that field of study. Barb Bakker, instructor in the School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services, will deliver the convocation address. Katheryn East, chair of the Teacher Education Faculty, will present the candidates. Gloria Gibson, executive vice president and provost, will grant admission to the Teacher Education Program, and the pinning and affirmation of candidates will be by Katheryn East.

This will be the 46th group of candidates inducted into the Teacher Education Program since formal ceremonies began in 1991. Parents and friends of the candidates are invited along with UNI faculty and administrators. A reception will follow in the GBPAC lobby.

For more information, contact Kathy Oakland, instructor of human relations, at 319-273-2591 or kathy.oakland@uni.edu.

October 23, 2013 - 9:36am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Students, faculty and staff at the University of Northern Iowa will participate in Make A Difference Day from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26. Make A Difference Day is the largest national day of community service, and thousands of projects are planned each year involving corporations, communities and nonprofit organizations.

Volunteers will participate in various service projects at places throughout the Cedar Valley, including projects with the ASPIRE Therapeutic Riding Program in Waterloo and the Black Hawk County Conservation at local county parks. The event will end with a luncheon.

For more information, contact Steffoni Schmidt, program coordinator for Maucker Union Administration, at 319-273-7422 or steffoni.schmidt@uni.edu.

October 22, 2013 - 9:21am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Associate professor of management Craig VanSandt has been named the new David W. Wilson Chair in Business Ethics at the University of Northern Iowa. VanSandt brings a wealth of business and higher education experience with him to UNI. He holds a B.B.A. in accounting from Texas Christian University, an MBA from the University of North Carolina and a Ph.D. in management from Virginia Tech. He has worked in real estate development and the banking industry, and taught at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., for 13 years.

"College students are the future leaders of our society; they are the ones who will determine the path we take," said VanSandt. "My main focus in teaching is to help students develop their critical thinking skills, to get them to question conventional wisdom and to help them become engaged, productive citizens."

The David W. Wilson Chair was established through a gift from university alumnus and Laguna Beach, Calif., resident David W. Wilson, president and owner of one of the largest privately owned automotive groups in the country. The Chair is the foremost expert in the college on business ethics, teaches the topic in the classroom and serves as a resource and authority on the topic for the business, government and nonprofit communities.

To reach David W. Wilson Chair in Business Ethics Craig VanSandt, call 319-273-6194 or email craig.vansandt@uni.edu.

October 21, 2013 - 11:46am

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa will offer Panther Play Dates from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25, and Friday, Nov. 1, at the Schindler Education Center. UNI elementary education and theatre majors will provide art activities for students in grades one through five.

Students are responsible for bringing a sack lunch; a mid-afternoon snack will be provided. The cost for this event is $30 per child. Students may be dropped off from 8:45 to 9 a.m. An early drop-off time will be offered from 8 to 8:45 a.m., with an additional cost of $5 per child. Parents are encouraged to join their children at 4 p.m. for a mini-performance. Participants can register at www.gbpac.com/kaleidoscope/panther-play-date.aspx.

For more information, contact Amy Hunzelman, director of education and special programs at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, at 319-273-3679 or amy.hunzelman@uni.edu.

October 21, 2013 - 2:32pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Glitter, fake blood and five-inch heels are a few of the things you can expect to see at UNI Proud's third annual Halloween Drag-A-Ganza from 7 to 10 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 29, in the Maucker Union Ballroom C on the University of Northern Iowa campus. The drag show and dance party aims to be the group's largest-ever Halloween show, with two sets of performances, a costume contest and an open dance floor.

"The Halloween Drag-A-Ganza is one of our biggest events of the fall semester," said David Pope, president of UNI Proud. "We've seen attendance go from 70 the first year to over a hundred last year. This year we've added about twice as many drag performers and they'll be sure to entertain longer than in the past."

Attendees are encouraged to tip performers; money raised will be donated to the Community AIDS Assistance Project. Prizes will be awarded for the scariest, funniest, most creative, most realistic and best gender-bending costumes.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Pope at 641-529-0381 or proud@uni.edu, or visit uniproud.tumblr.com.

October 21, 2013 - 3:47pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) is excited to announce the launch of Paint Tracker, a free online resource that can be used to record and track paint and solvent usage.

"Various regulations require businesses to maintain records for paint and solvent usage. This can become tedious and time-consuming, especially for larger facilities," said Dan Nickey, associate director at the IWRC. Using Paint Tracker, businesses are able to input data on a regular basis and generate reports as needed to meet regulations.

The IWRC originally developed this software in 2007, then known as PaintPlus. It was available as downloadable software, which made it only accessible from one computer. "The decision to develop a web application meant a greater ease of accessibility, and we were able to add upgraded reporting capabilities to Paint Tracker," said Nickey.

Paint Tracker was developed by IWRC's Iowa Air Emissions Assistance Program environmental specialists with funding by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. To learn more and register for a free account, visit www.iwrc.org/PaintTracker/.

The IWRC has been providing environmental services, including business assistance and industry training as well as research and development, for more than 25 years. IWRC is a nonprofit organization and is part of Business and Community Services at the University of Northern Iowa. For more information, visit www.iwrc.org or contact Joe Bolick, IWRC communications and grant manager, at 319-273-6577 or mjbolick@uni.edu.

Cady will present a lecture about the role of Iowa's courts in policy making. He will provide insights into the decision-making process of the courts and discuss recent cases, including the landmark decision in Varnum v. Brien, which established same-sex marriage in Iowa. Cady earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from Drake University, and was first appointed to the Iowa Supreme Court in 1998, becoming the Chief Justice in January 2011.

The event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Donna Hoffman, department head of political science, at 319-273-5916 or donna.hoffman@uni.edu.

October 17, 2013 - 4:47pm

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Award-winning spoken word poet and co-writer of the Tony-nominated "Def Poetry Jam on Broadway" Staceyann Chin will perform at the University of Northern Iowa from 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 23, in UNI's Center for Multicultural Education (CME). A book signing and reception will follow her performance.

"I personally am excited to have a queer person of color come to campus to share their personal experiences through a creative outlet," said Tabatha Cruz, program coordinator for the CME. "When you are a member of two or more oppressed groups, there are a lot of cultural challenges that come along with it that most people don't understand. I hope that Staceyann's message of support and hope will resonate with those who attend so that we may continue to work on making inclusive communities stronger at UNI."

Chin's activist-driven poetry has been acclaimed by a variety of publications. She has performed her work in Off-Broadway one-woman shows and has been featured in several poetry anthologies and documentary films. The event is free and open to the public.